in species of electric fishes, modified muscle fibers forming disc-like multinucleate plates arranged in stacks like batteries in series and embedded in a gelatinous matrix; muscles in different parts of the body may be modified, for example, the trunk and tail in the electric eel, the hyobranchial apparatus in the electric ray, and extrinsic eye muscles in the stargazers; powerful electric organs emit pulses in brief bursts several times a second and serve to stun prey and ward off predators.